The 2013 Seattle High Times Cannabis Cup Winners

As the High TimesU.S. Cannabis Cup drew to a close on Sunday in Seattle, it seemed like the whole motley crew of the weekend’s attendees gathered inside for the big moment: who would take the Cup? As High Times hyped up the crowd with a freebie free-for-all, growers, extractors and business owners mingled with patients and recreational users in a continuation of what was a very community-focused event. In true Pacific Northwest style, even Sasquatch made a rare appearance to present an award.

Throughout the weekend, there were some common themes at the Cup: support for growers; safety and standardization; and a need for continued activism were all touched upon. Dr. Sanjay Gupta was still making small waves, CBD-rich strains were highlighted and the pros and cons of the sudden popularity of concentrates were all touched upon.

Overall, though, the Cannabis Cup came down to highlighting superb strains, whether people were combusting them, dabbing or trying them as edibles and concentrates. There were plenty of samples to go around and the producers and dispensaries had no shortage of steady testers. As anyone in Washington over the age of 21 can now legally consume cannabis, there was a buzzy feeling of liberation in the air—or maybe that’s just some really good cannabis talking.

In the end, the Cup’s winners reflected the major trends in the cannabis community. The Best Product category leaned toward concentrates, with both first and third place going to dabbing accessories. Mirroring the trend toward medicinal potency and lab testing, high CBD strains had their own category that was determined by lab results. Kyle Kushman’s Veganic Strawberry Cough, which took the top prize of the evening, is an example of conscientious growing techniques that focus on a purity of product for the patient. If Seattle’s first legal Cannabis Cup tells us anything about where the movement is going, it’s that innovation and sophistication will be what wins.

Without further ado, here’s the best of the best to keep your eyes open for: